High Court Dismisses 20 Nakaseke Head Teachers' Challenge Over Forged Transcripts

The High Court in Luweero District dismissed with costs a judicial review case brought by 20 head teachers from Nakaseke over their dismissal from public service. The teachers were sacked on September 3, 2024, after investigations revealed they used forged academic transcripts to gain promotions to headship positions.

Justice Faridah Shamilah Bukirwa Ntambi, in her ruling on March 17, 2026, stated that the teachers had a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations during joint disciplinary proceedings. She emphasized that public service standing orders do not prohibit such joint hearings when misconduct stems from similar facts, as long as each officer gets a chance to defend themselves.

The judge found no evidence of illegality, irrationality, or procedural impropriety in the dismissal decision, leading to the application’s failure.

The dismissals followed recommendations from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG). Deputy IGG Anne Twinimugisha Muhairwe, in a January 23, 2024 letter, advised the Nakaseke Chief Administrative Officer to process the dismissal of 21 teachers for submitting forged documents, violating public service standing orders on misconduct and integrity.

IGG probes showed the teachers had fake transcripts in fields like Bachelor of Arts with Education and Diploma in Education, falsely claimed from universities such as Makerere, Kyambogo, Nkozi, and Kampala International. They admitted obtaining these from Nasser Street in Kampala to aid their promotions via the Nakaseke District Service Commission in 2022.

The teachers had sought court orders to quash the dismissals, reinstate them, and award damages, claiming their qualifications were legitimate.

This article is based on a report from the Daily Monitor.